April 8, 2023: Father Forgive Them

"Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots." (Luke 23:34, NKJV)

These words of Jesus went so deeply into my heart the first time I read them after being born again. I knew what I was doing when I was sinning, but did not know who I was doing it to. When answering the question, "Who crucified Jesus?" The answer is, "We all did." We all put Him on the cross. He died for all of us! He carried all our sins, guilt, and shame to the cross.

"Father, forgive them..." is so personal! It is personal because it is the heart of Jesus making a request of His loving Father. In light of the Father's heart of justice, Jesus knew full well what He was asking and to whom He was asking it. It was personal because Jesus was asking, from His heart to the Father, not to hold their sin against them. He was saying to the Father, "Forgive them." 

Everything appears to be contrary at the cross! A righteous man is dying for unrighteous men. Justice is served up as unjust nails are driven in. Life is made available as death presses in. Forgiveness is being granted to all who have sinned. He was right! "They do not know what we do." Yet we live with the comfort of His words, "Father, forgive them..." For love covers a multitude of sin. Sela